Chapter 2Breaking Their Precious Little Sister

She paused, casting a lingering, slightly mournful look at Hudson.

"I can't believe Hudson actually let you lock him down. You must have some really impressive... techniques."

I just smiled, letting the backhanded compliment slide off me like water. I could see exactly what she was doing. She wasn't just "one of the boys"—she was the gatekeeper of their hearts.

When the appetizers arrived, I felt the shift in the room. Tinsley was getting ready to make her move. I stayed still, waiting for the opening.

Suddenly, Tinsley let out a sharp gasp. A bowl of soup—not boiling, but warm enough to cause a scene—sloshed over and drenched her white dress. She looked down at the stain, her face contorting into a mask of theatrical pain.

I moved to help her, but before I could reach her, Hudson shoved me aside. Hard. I hit the floor with a thud.

"I knew it!" Jax barked, his face turning an angry shade of red. "They’re all the same. Act nice for ten minutes and then show their claws. You did that on purpose!"

Bennett pushed his glasses up his nose, his voice cold. "We told you, Hudson. No one touches Tinsley. Not even your girlfriend."

"Jade," Hudson’s voice was low and dangerous. "Apologize. Now."

Tinsley was curled into the guys' arms, looking up at me with a tiny, triumphant glint in her eyes that only I could see.

If I were any other girl, I would have screamed, thrown my drink, and walked out. But I wasn't any other girl.

I let the tears well up instantly. My lower lip trembled, and I made sure my voice came out broken and breathless.

"I'm so sorry, Tinsley... I thought you were handing me the bowl... I was just trying to help..." I turned my head slightly, showing the most vulnerable angle of my neck, letting a single tear track down my cheek. "I love Hudson so much, and I wanted so badly for us to be friends. You’re so kind, Tinsley... please tell me you don’t think I did this on purpose."

Tinsley froze. The guys froze. She had spent years perfecting the "victim" role, but I was currently out-victim-ing her in front of her own audience.

"Of course," Tinsley stammered, forced into a corner. "Guys, stop. It was an accident. Don't be mean to Jade."

I sobbed quietly and threw myself into Hudson’s arms. I looked up at him through my lashes, my eyes full of hurt and longing. For the first time, Hudson looked genuinely guilty. He held me tight, but before he could speak, Tinsley jumped in.

"Let's just finish and go to the pool! Hudson, you promised to teach me that new stroke today. I even brought my new bikini."

Nobody cared if I’d actually eaten. They dropped their forks and stood up. The three of them swarmed Tinsley, treating her like a porcelain doll, leaving me to trail behind like a forgotten shadow.

Hudson glanced back once, but Tinsley immediately leaned into him, whispering a question about swimming techniques. Jax snorted. "I'm a better swimmer than Hudson, Tinsley. Let me teach you."

Tinsley giggled. "One at a time, Jax. You’re next."

We arrived at the campus athletic center. Tinsley emerged from the locker room in a dainty, floral one-piece, her arm linked through Hudson’s. The moment her toe touched the water, she let out a tiny shriek and jumped into Hudson’s arms.

I stepped out in my own suit—a sleek, midnight-blue bikini that left very little to the imagination.

"Hudson?" I called out, my voice soft. "I'm actually not a very strong swimmer. Do you think you could help me too?"

The three of them turned. The air seemed to leave the room. If you want to play the game of a "pick-me" girl, you need the hardware to back it up. I had it.

Every guy in the pool area was staring. Hudson’s expression darkened with a sudden, sharp possessiveness.